The Lake

The pale moon illuminated the surface of the water and made the landscape mysteriously beautiful. On the dark shore, covered with grayish autumn grass, laid the body of a girl. In the dim night light, her white, lifeless skin seemed something terribly unnatural. She was like a mermaid stranded on dry land. Scarlet blood was still oozing from the wounds on her body, which was immediately washed away with water. A man was sitting next to her, his face was hidden by the hoodie. He carefully, gently scooped up water with his hand and watered her wounds until the blood almost completely stopped coming out. With his other hand, he stroked her hair and quietly whispered that she was the most beautiful creature on earth, that she was sent to him as a gift, and he would share this gift with the world.

After drying her with a towel, he took a clean white ribbon and tied it around her neck, as if it were a toy. The saddest toy in the world.

…

- So tell me, why did you choose a trip to the lake on your birthday? We could throw a party, invite your parents, or go have dinner at some posh place. But you wanted to shake in the car, and then have a picnic on the cold ground. It’s October, by the way!

- Don’t you remember that all our best moments happened on this lake? - Matt smiled and raised an eyebrow significantly.

- Matt! Shame on you! And what does it have to do with your birthday?

- Nothing. I just wanted to spend time with you, remember the good days and get away from all the problems. Let’s get everything out of the trunk already.

Kate smiled and got out of the car. She felt really happy. And even if it’s cold outside, and little Kate will freeze every piece of her body, but there is someone next to her for whom she can put up with cold weather.

They quickly found a path that they had already walked countless times, and after 15 minutes they came to their favorite place by the lake. After spreading out a blanket and putting all their baskets with food, they filled their glasses with champagne and Kate decided to make a toast:

- Matt, we’ve been together for so long, but I realized just now that I am ready to tell you that... I love you. I really love you and I want to be with you forever. Happy Birthday!

She looked very shy saying these words, with her head down. Matt gently touched her chin, lifted her head so that they could look into each other’s eyes, and said, stroking her long dark hair:

- Katie, I didn’t even realize that we hadn’t said these words out loud yet. I’ve been in love with you for so long that it seems so natural and right. I love you like crazy, and we will always be together.

Kate’s eyes got wet from the tears that came out, but she held herself together and smiled happily. It flashed through her mind that this was all like a scene from some stupid romantic movie that she and Matt had watched together.

She was only 27 years old, too early for marriage in our time. But she already knew that as soon as Matt asked, she would immediately agree to marry him. They had been dating for more than three years, and during all this time she could not remember any bad moments. Of course, they used to argue with each other sometimes, even quarreled once over some nonsense, but it was such a little thing compared to the happiness they felt together.